Division Ave. Arts Co-op closes doors

GRAND RAPIDS -- West Michigan has one less haven for alternative culture.

The Division Ave. Arts Cooperative, 115 S. Division Ave. has tentatively closed its doors for good, following a surprise visit from the Grand Rapids Fire Prevention Bureau on Thursday night.

The small artist's cooperative, housed in a former storefront in the blossoming arts district of Division Avenue, was hosting a music event by an experimental Grand Rapids band at the time of the inspection.

The inspector estimated there were 143 people in attendance at the La Dispute show Thursday night. The DAAC's capacity is 100 people. Venue officials were issued a written warning and helped to clear people out of the space, bringing the number below 100.

"It is closed," confirmed DAAC co-founder Jeff Vandenberg, who said the organization would not renew a lease in January for the space.

Several other violations were found during the visit, including problems with signage and exit door access.

Fire Prevention inspector Ric Dokter was not at the DAAC Thursday night, but reviewed the warning and spoke with battalion chiefs about the incident. He was unable to verbally follow-up with DAAC organizers Friday afternoon, but said he would continue to try to establish contact.

"We will monitor the situation, to be sure," Dokter said.

No fines or formal charges were issued, and there are no plans to do so.

At this time, DAAC organizers said they will not re-open the venue at the Division site. Future shows either will be canceled or moved to another location.

The DAAC opened in Oct. 2003, a few years before the area of the Heartside District was known for its now flourishing art, music and shopping scene. The artist operated and driven organization was a catalyst for growth in the area, giving new artists a non-commissioned place to showcase their art.

Alternative music fans flocked to the all-ages, alcohol-free venue. The small space hosted more than 100 shows a year, attracting such national acts as Page France, Xiu Xiu, Akron/Family, Aloha and Casiotone For the Painfully Alone. It also hosted many local bands, independent movie screenings and public talks, such as a visit from Davy Rothbart of "Found" magazine and book fame.